Chinese cinemas to showcase Saudi films for the first time
Special screenings from Oct. 21-26 in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou follow similar events in Morocco and Australia
Updated 08 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: A series of Saudi Film Nights will take place in China, the world’s largest cinema market, for the first time this month to showcase movies from the Kingdom. It follows similar events in Morocco and Australia.
The special screenings, organized by the Saudi Film Commission, will run from Oct. 21-26 in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou, before the films go on general release in Chinese theaters. The diverse selection of films includes features and shorts, and the screenings will be accompanied by discussions with filmmakers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This initiative reflects the commission’s efforts to develop and grow the Saudi film industry, highlight local talent, and promote cultural exchanges and collaborations.
DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna shared the stage with British band Coldplay on Tuesday on NBC’s “Today” show in New York, performing their song “We Pray.”
The track is part of Coldplay’s new album, “Moon Music,” which was released this month. Joining Elyanna and the British band on stage was Argentine singer and actress Tini, who is also featured on the song.
Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the track on Sept. 20.
Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the track on Sept. 20. (Getty Images)
Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend also teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform the song. The singer took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone after the show by re-posting footage of backstage rehearsals recorded minutes before she hit the stage.
The “SNL” performance comes just days after the 22-year-old also appeared at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas to perform the same song.
Elyanna is set to perform live with Coldplay again when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025. The band will perform as part of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on Jan. 9, 11, 12 and 14 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
In August, she took to the stage in Dublin to perform “We Pray” in Arabic. She performed alongside rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Tini.
“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she wrote to her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and most importantly for my hometown Palestine.”
The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arabic and Western influences, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing.
Elyanna has been normalizing Arabic lyrics in the Western world throughout her career, taking inspiration from artists including Lana Del Ray and Beyonce, as well as Middle Eastern legend Fayrouz.
In 2023, Elyanna became the first artist to perform a full set in Arabic at California’s Coachella music festival.
She embarked on a North American Tour this year, gracing stages in Dallas, Houston, Toronto, Montreal, Washington, New York, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco and Santa Ana.
Justin Bieber spotted wearing keffiyeh in Los Angeles
Updated 08 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber was photographed leaving the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles this weekend, wearing what appeared to be a keffiyeh.
The 30-year-old was photographed with the keffiyeh wrapped around his head while driving his car, sparking a debate online about whether he was inadvertently commenting on the ongoing war in Gaza.
The 30-year-old was photographed with the keffiyeh wrapped around his head while driving his car. (X, previously Twitter)
The pop star has been mostly silent on social media regarding the ongoing conflict, after briefly sharing and deleting a post in support of Israel following the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
Across the world, the chequered head scarf has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as Israel continues to bombard Gaza, and now Lebanon.
Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion
Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1
Trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma
Updated 07 October 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series “Future’s Folktales.”
Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, “Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales” will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1 in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as TV Tokyo in Japan, starting Nov. 1.
It will also be available in North America, Europe and Latin America, with platforms to be announced later this year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma, which blend traditional tales with futuristic visions.
Fifteen Saudi artists and producers from Manga Productions contributed to character design and creative direction, showcasing a diverse array of traditional environments and costumes that reflect the rich cultures of the Arabian Peninsula.
Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary said: “The growing global interest in the distribution of Asateer2 Future’s Folktales across various international platforms is clear evidence of the success of our young talents in creating content that meets international standards and can compete on the global stage.”
He added: “At Manga Productions, we remain committed to producing innovative works that inspire the new generation and enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a beacon of creativity, while ensuring we maintain the highest standards of quality and excellence in everything we do.”
Creative Director at Manga Productions Sara Oulddaddah said that during the production of Asateer 2, “We focused on enhancing our internal production capabilities and providing opportunities for Saudi talents who worked diligently with our partners across all stages of production.”
She added that “through Asateer2, we aim to continue sharing our inspiring Saudi culture, history and fantasy with the world, while contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative content industry.”
The new season, which combines Saudi creativity with Japanese expertise, continues the remarkable success of the first season, which exceeded 100 million views worldwide, SPA reported.
Elyanna shares backstage footage after ‘SNL’ debut
Updated 07 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend, teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform their new song, “We Pray.” The singer took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone after the show by re-posting footage of backstage rehearsals recorded minutes before she hit the stage.
Elyanna and the British band were joined on stage by Argentine singer and actress Tini, also a featured artist on the track. Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the song on Sept. 20.
Coldplay also performed their new track “All My Love” from their new album “Moon Music,” which was released on Friday.
Elyanna is set to perform live with Coldplay again when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025. The band will perform as part of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on Jan. 9, 11, 12 and 14 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The “SNL” performance comes just days after the 22-year-old also appeared at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas to perform the same song.
In August, she took to the stage in Dublin to perform “We Pray” in Arabic. She performed alongside rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Tini.
“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she wrote to her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and most importantly for my hometown Palestine.”
Tilda Swinton wears Maison Alaia as protesters interrupt film screening
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: British actress Tilda Swinton wore an all-black ensemble from Maison Alaia on the red carpet at the New York Film Festival screening of her film “The Room Next Door.”
The simple design from the label, which was founded by late Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaia, featured a black sweater and skirt, which Swinton paired with bright red heels.
According to a report by Deadline, the post-screening Q&A for “The Room Next Door” was interrupted by protesters chanting in support of Palestine as well as Lebanon, the recent target of Israeli airstrikes.
A spokesperson told Deadline: “Two individuals held a banner and shouted slogans in the theater during the Q&A following the NYFF screening of Pedro Almodovar’s film ‘The Room Next Door.’ They were peacefully escorted out.”
The protest reportedly drew some applause, along with some shouts calling for them to “go away.” Director Almodovar gave the group a chance to be heard as he and Swinton helped diffuse the situation.
“The Room Next Door” is Spanish filmmaker Almodovar’s first English-language movie. The picture won the Golden Lion at its Venice Film Festival world premiere as well as the Brian Award for Almodovar.
Swinton described the protest as “a dignifying thing for this festival,” adding: “These interruptions are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary, and it is relevant to our film. Syria is the room next door, Beirut, Gaza. Pedro’s film asks us not to look away.”
